Hanger for sliding doors



R. E. FOLTZ HANGER FOR SLIDING DOORS July 13, 1965 Filed April 5, 1965 United States Patent 3,193,871 HANGER FDR SLKDENG DGORS Robert E. Foltz, terling, llL, assignor to Lawrence Brothers, Inc, Sterling, 111., a corporation of lilinois Filed Apr. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 270,906 Claims. (Cl. 16-105) This invention relates generally to builders hardware and more particularly to hanger assemblies for suspendedly mounting sliding doors.

Various types of devices have been produced in the past for suspendedly hanging doors of the type which are to be operated by a sliding action; and numerous schemes have been developed for adjusting the vertical position of such doors in order to assure the doors being plumb and in order to provide proper floor clearance. Other door hangers have been arranged for detachable mounting with respect to the supporting carriage units that operate in the overhead tracks. However, previous attempts to combine vertical adjustability with detachable mounting have not resulted in complete success. The prior art hanger assemblies which have attempted to combine these two highly desirable features have proved expensive to manufacture, difficult to assemble, inconvenient to adjust, or noisy in operation.

Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to overcome these problems in a door mounting arrangement of the type which combines vertical adjust ability and detachable coupling to the supporting carriage unit.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mounting arrangement for sliding doors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resiliently balanced mounting arrangement for sliding doors.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel biasing means for the detachable coupling unit in a door mounting arrangement.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following descriptions.

A structure in accord with the invention includes a wheeled carriage adapted for transportable relocation in a guide track, a suspension element dependingly supported from the carriage for use in hanging a door, the suspension element including a threaded stem progressively engaging a cooperatively threaded bore in the carriage, a head portion adapted to cooperate in attaching a door to the suspension element and a smooth wailed shank portion between the head portion and the threaded stem, the structure further including an abutment member axial- 1y adjustably and non-rotatably disposed on the shank portion of the suspension element, the abutment member inciuding a plurality of alternating notches and knobs which are accessible radially for use in rotating the suspension element whereby to regulate the progressive engagement of the threaded stem and the cooperatively threaded bore of the carriage, thereby regulating the vertical position of the door hung from the carriage, the structure additionally including stop means on the suspension element and resilient means between the stop means and the abutment member yieldably to permit movement of the abutment member toward the carriage for enlarging the space between the abutment member and the head portion of the suspension element whereby to facilitate attachment and detachment of the door from the carriage.

In order that the principles of the invention may be readily understood, two embodiments thereof, but to which the application is not to be restricted, are shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a mounting arrangement for sliding doors constructed in compliance with the principles of the present invention, the cooperating guide track being cut away to show details of the carriage unit;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to the showing of FIG. 2 but illustrating the position of the parts of the detachment unit as they appear in the process of incipient attachment of the door to the hanger assembly;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the detachment unit and the cooperating door plate; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to the showing of PEG. 2 but illustrating a modified embodiment of the detachment unit.

Referring now in detail to the drawing and first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting arrangement for a door of the sliding type is seen indicated generally by the numeral 12. The mounting arrangement 12 includes a guide track unit 14 that is suitably mounted to the underside of the top jamb 15 of a door frame, a carriage unit 16 that is adapted to ride in the guide track unit 14, a detachment unit 18 that is adjustably connected to the carriage unit 16, and a door mounting plate 20 that is fastened to the top edge of the door 10 by one or more screws 22, top door plate 20 defining an attachment memher for coaction with the detachment unit 18.

The guide track unit 14 includes a top plate 24 that is fashioned with a downwardly opening channel 26 and further includes lateral plates 28 that terminate at their respective lower ends in parallel track elements 30. As is best seen in FIG. 2, the track elements 30 have confronting edges or lips 32 which are spaced apart a predetermined distance for purposes which will become ap parent hereinafter. The guide track unit 14 may be fabricated in any convenient manner, extrusion of an aluminum alloy having proved to be a useful procedure in this regard.

The carriage unit 16 is adapted for transportable relocation in the guide track unit 14 and specifically comprises a truck body 34 which defines both a central hub 36 and a pair of end plates 38, plates 38 extending in opposite directions from the hub 36 for positioning along the longitudinal aXis of the guide track unit 14. Spaced axles 40 are situated in the end plates 38 for rotatably mounting two pairs of wheels 42 to the truck body 34; and as will be seen from an inspection of FIG. 2, the side edges of the wheels 42 are beveled to correspond with the angulated floor components of the track elements 30.

Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the carriage unit 16 additionally includes an internally threaded coupling member or sleeve 44 that is provided with a radial flange or head 46 at its upper end. The hub 36 of the truck body 34 is fashioned with a smooth walled vertical bore 48, best seen in FIG. 2; and the sleeve 44 is slidably received in the bore 48. In order to support the door 10 in resilient fashion, a coiled compression spring 5% is disposed surrounding the sleeve 44 beneath the head 46 thereof; and for purposes of defining a spring retainer, the hub 36 of the truck body is provided with a counterbore 52, counterbore 52 receiving the lower portion of the spring 50. The shoulder between bore 48 and coun terbore 52 defines a stop for the spring 50.

A nut 54 is secured to the lower end of sleeve 44 beneath the hub 36 of carriage body 34 in order to hold the carriage body on the sleeve and against the force of the spring and in compliance with a feature of the invention, the nut 54 defines a body of anti-friction material having parallel opposite sides. As will be seen in FIG. 2, the opposite parallel sides of the nut 54 are spaced apart to cooperate with the confronting edges 32 of the track elements 30, the opposite sides of the nut 54 being relatively closely spaced with respect to the confronting lips or, edges 32 so that the nut 54 may be preventedfrom rotating by contacting the confronting lips 32. The nut 54 is fixed to the sleeve 44 to be'both axially and rotationally immovable with respectto the sleeve; and advantageously, this is accomplished by'means of a splined' fit between the nut 54 and the lowerend of the sleeve 44. Thus, coaction between'the opposite parallel sides of the nut 54 and the confronting edges 32 of the track elements. holds the. sleeve 44 against rotation.

cal strength and anti-friction properties may be established in the nut 54 by fabricating it from nylon or other equiv alent resin. So fabricated, the nut 54 may serve its func- Suitable mechanishown.

extending, axially slanted resilient elements 82 which are provided with sharpened edges 84, edges 84 aggressively engaging the shank portion 62 as shown in FIG. 2. The member 66 is advantageously fabricated from spring material; and because of the resiliency which is thus provided in the elements 82, the stop member 66 may be easily moved along the shank portion of the bolt toward member 68, preventing movement of the abutmentmemtion as a retention member for' the sleeve 44 and'may. ail-' ditionally slide with ease between the track elements without hin'dering'the opening and closing action of the door 10. s

Thevdetachment unit 18 defines a suspension arrangement and comprises a pendant bolt 56 which includes I a threaded stem58, stem 58 being progressively engageable with the cooperatively threaded bore of sleeve 44. The bolt 56 acts as a suspension elementand, in addition to the stem 58, includes a'beveled head portion 60 and'a smooth walled shank portion 62 which' is disposed between the head portion 60 and the threaded stem 53.

Besides the pendant bolt 56, the detachment unit 13 comprises an'abutment member 64 that is axially adjustably and. non-rotatably disposed on the shank portion 6 2, a stop member66, and a resilient member 68 which is situatedbetween the stop member and the abutment member. In order to regulate the penetration of bolt 56into the sleeve 44 and thereby adjust the vertical position of the door ltl," the shank portion 62 of bolt 56 is formed as a cylindrical element having afiat lateral face or chordal side 70; and as is best seen in FIG. 4, the "abutment member 64isprovided with a central D-shaped aperture 72, aperture 72 corresponding in shape to the cross-section of shank portion 70 whereby to'permit the abutment member 64 to slide axially relative to the shank portion 56in non-rotatable manner.

ber 64 in thegeneral direction of carriage unit 16, beyond that movement which is permitted 'by the resiliency of member 68.

Returning to FIG. 4, the resilient member 68 'is seen fashioned as a tubular member which may therefore be disposed surrounding the shank portion '62 of the pendant bolt. Due to this surrounding relationship, the resilient member 68 is capable of resisting canting of the abutment member 64 in alliarcuate'positions. Furthermore, the

' tubular nature of the member 68facilitates assembly since the member 68 can be easily slipped over the pendant bolt. More,imlportantly, the resilient member 68 is fabricated from an elastomeric material in compliance with the present invention; and while various rubber 7 compounds and compositions, including those basedon member 64 includes a plurality of alternating notches '74 I and knobs 76 at its periphery, the alternating notches and and knobs being accessible radially for use in r'otating the pendant bolt through turning of the abutment member 64.

' Such rotation is capable of regulating the penetration of the threaded stem 58 of the bolt relative to the sleeve With reference to FIG. 2, the abutment member 64 is seen to possess a substantialradial extent, being of greater substantially greater radial extent than the. head portion 60 coacts with this flat surface portion 78 for purposes which will be describedrmore fully hereinafter. V s In order to bias the abutment member 64 toward the head portion 60 of the pendant bolt and in order to pe rmit yieldable movement of the abutment member toward the carriage unit 16,"the' resilient member 68 is compressed betweenrthe abutment member 64 and thes'top member 66. As is best seen in FIG. 4, the stop member 66 includes a radially extending portion 80'that abuts the resilient member and provideslthe stop therefor. In addition, the stop member 66 is perforated centrally and the edges of the central opening are defined by inwardly,

Appreciable ease in .alter- I the top door plate 26 is seen to include amounting portion radial extent than the head portion 60 of the bolt and apneoprene and natural rubber, polymers, have proved useful in this regard, replacement of the elastomeric member 68 by a metal spring has not been found to be satisfactory for purposes of the instant mounting arrangement. The noise which is created by a spring during its compression and expansion over a metal post in use is unacceptable commercially. On'the other hand, the elastomeric member68 has proved to be completelysilent in operation.

As will be seen from an inspection of FIG. 4, the upper surface of abutment member 64 is provided with .an endless circular wall portion 86, wall portion 86 defining a cup-like recess confronting the carriage unit 16 and surrounding the shank portion 62 of the pendant bolt. This cup-like recess receives at least the lower portion .of the resilient member 68 tojafford protection for the resilient member. As will be recognized, the. circular wall 86 tends to prevent the accumulation of dirt and grease around the resilient member and acts to shield it against contact by various deleterious substances.

The described parts are susceptible of simple assembly. For example, construction may be initiated by fitting the spring 56 over the sleeve 44 and thereafter dropping the lower end of the sleeve through the bore formed a in the central hub of the truck body 34. Next, the spring is compressed to expose the lower end of the sleeve 44 beneath the truck body; and the nut 54 is thereupon pressed onto thisrexposed portion of the sleeve. In a separate operation, the abutment member. 64 is slipped over the threaded stem of the pendant bolt 56 to be fitted on the shank portion 62 thereof. The resilient member 64 and the stop member 66 are then inserted on the pendant bolt in that order; and the stop member 66 is positioned on the shank portion 62 of the pendant bolt at a predetermined position which is established to provide the desired compression of the resilient member The resultant two subassemblies are then coupled together merely by threading the stem portion of the pendant'bolt into the sleeve 44. g The head portion 60 of the pendant bolt 56 has been described as being beveled,'and thisbeveling of the head portion 66 facilitates attachmentof the door 10 to the coupled units 14, 16 and 18. Withreference to FIG. 4,

88 and an upwardly deflected po-rt-ion96, portion 88 being provided with holes for passingthe screws 22 into the top edge of the door and the portion 90being perforated with an aperturej-92'which is sized to receive the shank portion 62 of the pendant bolt 56. The deflected portion 90 also includes a slot 94 that opens from the side of the top plate 20 in the direction of the front face of the door 10, slot 94 permitting access of the pendant bolt to the aperture 92. For this latter purpose, the slot 94 is provided with a width approximating the diameter of the aperture 92. In order to establish a seat for the beveled head portion 60 of the pendant bolt, the lower edges of the aperture 92 are fashioned as a beveled surface 96, the angle taken by the beveled surface 96 corresponding to the angle or taper of the beveled head portion 60. Similarly, the edges of the slot 94 are beveled; and the front corners of the slot 94 are chamfered at 98 and beveled at 100. This arrangement of the leading edges of the slot 94 facilitates entry of the plate portion 90 bewteen the head portion 60 of the pendant bolt and the abutment member 64.

Having thus described one construct-ion of the invention, it is advantageous now to describe how the illustrated embodiment may be used. Assuming that suitable number of the carriage units 16 with detachment units 18 coupled thereto have been inserted in the guide track unit 14, the guide track unit is secured to the top jamb of a door frame. The door with an appropriate number of top door plates 26 fastened thereto is next manipulated into a substantially upright position generally underlying the guide track unit 14. The slot 94 of each of the top door plates 20 is then aligned with the beveled head portion 60 of a detachment unit 18 as is shown in FIG. 3; and while the detachment unit and its coupled carriage unit are constrained by the guide track unit 14, the top edge of the door 10 is caused to move in an are indicated generally by the arrow 102. The top edge of the door plate 20 contacts the broad undersurface 78 of the abutment member 64 before it engages the head portion of the pendant bolt, this preliminary engagement of the top door plate and the abutment member causing a canting of the abutment member which leads the top door plate toward the pendant bolt. The canting of the abutment member is permitted by the resilient member 68 yielding to the force imposed through the moving door.

Further movement of the top edge of the door 10 in the direction of arrow 102 brings the chamfered corners 98 of the slot 94 into contact with the beveled head portion 69 of the pendant bolt; and thereafter, further movement of the top edge of the door permits these chamfered corners to direct the head portion 60 against the beveled surfaces 100 whereby to lead the head portion of the pendant bolt into the slot 94 from whence it can be resituated into the aperture 92 to seat against the beveled surface 96. The fact that the abutment member 64 possesses a substantially greater radial extent than the head portion 60 achieves a lever action on the resilient member 63 upon the abutment member being contacted by a forcibly moved top door plate; and this lever action enhances the ease of attachment. Detachment of the door from the unit 18 is realized by lifting the door 10 slightly against the resilient resistance of the member 68 to allow sliding of the aperture 92 away from the beveled head portion 60. As the top door plate passes from the detachment unit 18, the pendant bolt is transiently situated in the slot 94 from whence complete separation may be readily realized.

As will be recognized, adjustment in the vertical position of the door 10 can be achieved while the door is actually mounted in place by merely sliding ones hand or the tip of a suitable tool up over the top edge of the door and into contact with the accessible notches and knobs formed on the periphery of the abutment member 64, rotation of the abutment member in an appropriate direction either raising or lowering the door by progressive engagement or disengagement of the threaded stem 58 of the pendant bolt and the internally threaded sleeve 44.

It is also important to realize that the resilient member 68 of the detachment unit 18 cooperates with the compression spring 50 of the carriage unit 16 in forming a bidirectional resilient coupling between the truck body 34 and the abutment member 64. Because of the threaded engagement of the, stem portion 58 and the threaded bore of sleeve 44, the sleeve and the pendant bolt 56 of the detachment unit are rigidly though adjustably connected. However, the sleeve 44 may move with respect to the carriage unit although downward movement of the sleeve is resisted by the compression spring 56. Similarly, the abutment member 64 may move axially with respect to the pendant bolt 56 although upward move ment of the abutment member is resiliently resisted by the member 68. The door 10, being in contact with the abutment member 64 through the top plate member 20, thus finds resilient resistance to its upward movement in the member 68 whereas engagement of the nut 54 and the truck body 34 prevents upward movement of the entire detachment unit. Downward movement of the door 10, on the other hand, is resiliently resisted by the spring 50, the weight of the door being actually suspended on one or more of these springs. As a result, the door 10 is resiliently balanced in position, and a smooth movement of the door is achieved in use. Furthermore, the resilient action of member 68 holds the abutment member tightly against the plate 20 to resist accidental demounting of the door and to prevent rattling of the parts in use.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been thus far shown and described, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made. For example and with reference to FIG. 5, a modified mounting arrangement is indicated generally by te numeral 12a. Since the embodiment of FIG. 5 is similar in many respects to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, like numerals have been used to designate like parts, suffix letter a being empolyed to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIG. 5.

The mounting arrangement 12a is distinguished by the provision of a resilient member 680 having a circumferential groove 104. Provision of the circumferential groove 104 establishes a variable resiliency in the member 68a, the member being softer at its edge than more centrally thereof. This greater resiliency at the edge of the member 68:: facilitates canting of the abutment member 64a for greater ease in leading the beveled head of the pendant bolt 56a into the aperture in the top door plate 29a.

The specific examples herein shown and described are to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those described will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes are to be understood as forming a part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a mounting arrangement for sliding doors, the combination comprising: a carriage adapted for transportable relocation in a guide track; a suspension element dependingly supported from said carriage for use in hanging a door, including a first portion connected to said carriage, a second portion adapted to cooperate in attaching a door to said suspension element, and a smooth walled, metallic shank portion between said second portion and said first portion; an abutment member axially adjustably disposed on said shank portion; stop means on said suspension element between said first portion and said abutment member for controllably compressing resilient means against said abutment member, including a radially extending portion defining a stop and further including means aggressively engaging said shank portion to resist movement of said stop means in the direction away from said abutment member; and tubular resilient means of elastomeric material surrounding said suspension element between said stop and said abutment member 7 a a to provide'resistance to canting of said abutment member in all arcuate positions'and yieldably to permit substantially noiseless movement of said abutment member toward said carriage for enlarging the space between said abutment member andsaid second portion whereby 'toi facilitate attachment and detachment of said door'from' said carriage.

2. In a mounting arrangement for sliding doors, the

combination comprising: a bolt "member for use in suspending a said door, including mounting means at one end, a head portion atthe other end and a smooth walled shank portion therebetween; an abutment member axially shiftably mounted on said shank portion; a stop memher on said'shank portion'spaced from said abutment member for controllably compressing a member of elastomeric material against said abutment member and in'-.

cluding means aggressively engaging said shank portion to resist movement of said stop member in the direction away from said abutment member; and a shallow cylin drical member of .elastomeric material between said stop member and said abutment member yieldably to permit movement of said abutment member toward-said stop fronting edges offsaidtrack elements in silently holding said member againstrotation; and'a suspension arrangement including a bolt threadedly engaging said member, means on said bolt cooperating in mounting a door thereto, accessible means axially adjustably and nonrotatably mounted on said bolt for use in rotating the same relative to said internally threaded member whereby to regulate the vertical position of a door hung from "said member and from said suspension arrangement,

stop means on said bolt for controllably compressing resilient means against said accessible means, and resilient means including a non-metallic body between said stop means and said accessible means yieldably to'permit movementof said accessible means toward said carriage unit for. enlarging the space between said accessible means and said doorlmounting means whereby to facilitate substantially noisless attachment and detachment of saidadoor from said suspension arrangement.

'5. In amounting arrangement forisliding doors, the

combination comprising: guide track means adapted to be attached to the top jamb of a door opening and including"; parallel track elements having spaced confronting member for enlarginglthe space between said abutment member and said head portion whereby'to facilitate attachment and detachment of said door, said cylindrical member having a continuous peripheral groove rendering said cylindrical member more resilient at its edge whereby to facilitate canting. of said abutment member during said attachment or detachment.

'3; Ina mounting arrangement for sliding doors, the

combination comprising: guide track means adapted tobe attached to the top jamb of a door opening and in-,

cluding parallel track elements having spaced confront ing edges; a-carriage unitadapted for transportable relocation in said guide track means, including a truck assembly having a'vertical bore, said carriage unit further including I an internally threaded, member ;slidably received in said bore and having a head overlying said truck assembly, a spring surrounding said member between said head and said truck assembly resiliently to support a doorsuspended from said member, and a body of anti-friction material fixed to said member beneath' said carriage unit to-hold said unit in position against the forceof said spring, saidbody having parallel opposite sides spaced apart to cooperate with the confronting edges of said track elementin holding said member against rotation; and a suspension arrangement including a bolt threadedly'engaging' said member, means on said bolt cooperating in mounting a door thereto, and accessible means on said bolt for use in rotating the same edges; a'carriage unit adapted for transportable relocation in said guidetrack meansg-iincluding a truck assembly having'a vertical bore, said carriage unit further including an internally threaded member slidably received in said .bore and having ahead overlying "said truck assembly, a resiliently compressible element-between said 'head' and said truck assembly for yieldably resisting movement of said member in one direction relative to a said truck I assembly and for resiliently supporting a door suspended from said member, and a body of antifriction material fixed to said member beneath said carriage unit to'hold said unitlin position against the force of said resiliently compressible element, said body'having parallel opposite sides spaced apart to cooperate with the confronting edges of said track elements in holding said "member against rotation; and a suspension arrangement including a bolt threadedly engaging said member, means on said bolt cooperating in mounting a door thereto, ac cess ible means on said bolt forluse in rotating the same relativeto'said member whereby to regulate the vertical position of a door hung from said member and from said suspension arrangemenn'stop means on said bolt, and

resiliently, compressiblemeans between said accessible means and said stop means whereby yieldably toresist relativeto said member whereby to regulate the vertical position of a door hung from said memberv and from said suspension arrangement;

4. In a mounting arrangement for sliding doors, the

combination comprising: guide track means-adaptedto 1 be attached to the topjamb of a door openingand including parallel track elements having spacedconfronting edges; a carriage unit adapted 'for transportable relocation in said guide track means, including a truck assembly having a vertical bore, saidvcarria'ge unit further-including an internally threaded member slidably received in said bore and having a head overlying a truck assembly,*a springsurrounding said member between said head and said truck assembly resiliently to support a door suspended from saidmember, and a body of resinous anti-friction material fixed to said 'memberbe neath said carriage unit to hold said unit in position against the force of said spring, said body having parallel opposite sides spaced apart to; cooperate vwiththe con- 'movement of said accessible means'toward said/truck assembly and whereby to cooperate with said resiliently compressible element, said body of anti-friction material, said stop means, said head, and said head portion in forming a bidirectional resilient coupling between said truck assemblyand said accessible means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS noNLEY VJ. STOCKING, Primary Examiner 

4. IN A MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR SLIDING DOORS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: GUIDE TRACK MEANS ADAPTED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE TOP JAMB OF A DOOR OPENING AND INCLUDING PARALLEL TRACK ELEMENTS HAVING SPACED CONFRONTING EDGES; A CARRIAGE UNIT ADAPTED FOR TRANSPORTABLE RELOCATION IN SAID GUIDE TRACK MEANS, INCLUDING A TRUCK ASSEMBLY HAVING A VERTICAL BORE, SAID CARRIAGE UNIT FURTHER INCLUDING AN INTERNALLY THREADED MEMBER SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID BORE AND HAVING A HEAD OVERLYING A TRUCK ASSEMBLY, A SPRING SURROUNDING SAID MEMBER BETWEEN SAID HEAD AND SAID TRUCK ASSEMBLY RESILIENTLY TO SUPPORT A DOOR SUSPENDED FROM SAID MEMBER, AND A BODY OF RESINOUS ANTI-FRICTION MATERIAL FIXED TO SAID MEMBER BENEATH SAID CARRIAGE UNIT TO HOLD SAID UNIT IN POSITION AGAINST THE FORCE OF SAID SPRING, SAID BODY HAVING PARALLEL OPPOSITE SIDES SPACED APART TO COOPERATE WITH THE CONFRONTING EDGES OF SAID TRACK ELEMENTS IN SILENTLY HOLDING SAID MEMBER AGAINST ROTATION; AND A SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT INCLUDING A BOLT THREADEDLY ENGAGING SAID MEMBER, MEANS ON SAID BOLT COOPERATING IN MOUNTING A DOOR 